Judge Caputo explained that he sentenced the defendant, Withberto Velazquez, to 30 years in prison to punish his “unspeakable” actions and to send a message to others that such conduct will not be tolerated by our society. Commenting on the defendant’s collection of more than 46,000 images of child pornography, Judge Caputo noted that young children are sexually abused each time an image of child pornography is produced, and he commented that the only way to disrupt or end the child pornography industry is to significantly punish those who help create a market for child pornography, as well as those who produce it.

Carlson noted that Velazquez pleaded guilty on May 9, 2008, to committing the two offenses. Velazquez committed the crimes between March 2007 and November 2007.

Velazquez was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 13, 2007, following an investigation by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Scranton and Biloxi, Mississippi, and Scranton Police.

Judge Caputo also ordered that Velazquez be placed on lifetime supervision by the U.S. Probation office following his release from prison. Velazquez must also pay a $200 special assessment.

Carlson noted that the investigation and prosecution of Velazquez are part of the Justice Department’s Project Safe Childhood initiative. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Carlson noted that Assistant United States Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.

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